What are the four cups of Jesus?

Before delving into the Christian perspective, it is important to understand the Jewish roots of the four cups. The Passover Seder—a ritual meal commemorating Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt—features the drinking of four cups of wine at specific points in the evening. These cups are not arbitrary; each corresponds to a promise God made to the Israelites in Exodus 6:6-7:

1. “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
2. “I will deliver you from their bondage.”
3. “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”
4. “I will take you to be my people.”

These four promises form the basis for the four cups, which are traditionally named:

1. The Cup of Sanctification
2. The Cup of Deliverance (or Judgment)
3. The Cup of Redemption
4. The Cup of Praise (or Restoration)

Each cup marks a different stage in the Passover liturgy, shaping the narrative of liberation and covenant.

The First Cup: The Cup of Sanctification

The Passover Seder begins with the first cup, known as the Cup of Sanctification or Kiddush. This cup sets the tone for the entire evening, signaling the beginning of a sacred celebration. The head of the household lifts the cup, recites a blessing over the wine, and sanctifies the meal and those gathered.

For Jesus and his disciples, this cup would have marked the start of their Passover meal. In the context of the Last Supper, the Cup of Sanctification reminds us that God calls people out from the ordinary into a special relationship and purpose. Jesus, aware of his impending sacrifice, gathered his followers and set them apart for the mission that lay ahead. The act of sanctification—being set apart—is foundational to both the Jewish and Christian understanding of covenant.

The Second Cup: The Cup of Deliverance (or Judgment)

After the retelling of the Exodus story, the second cup is poured—the Cup of Deliverance, sometimes called the Cup of Judgment. This cup commemorates God’s intervention to free the Israelites from slavery, as well as the plagues and judgments visited upon Egypt.

During the Seder, participants recall the suffering of Egypt and the deliverance of Israel, often dipping a finger into the wine and removing drops to symbolize sorrow for the suffering that accompanied liberation. This cup acknowledges that deliverance often involves struggle and the overcoming of oppression.

At the Last Supper, Jesus would have raised this cup as he and his disciples remembered God’s mighty acts of deliverance. For Christians, this cup foreshadows Jesus’ own suffering and the deliverance he would bring—not from physical slavery, but from the bondage of sin and death. The Cup of Deliverance points to the cost of freedom and the heart of God as a liberator.

The Third Cup: The Cup of Redemption

The third cup, known as the Cup of Redemption, is perhaps the most significant in the context of the Last Supper. It is traditionally drunk after the meal and is directly connected to God’s promise, “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”

According to the Gospel accounts, it is with this cup that Jesus established the new covenant: “And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’” (Matthew 26:27-28, ESV).

For Christians, the Cup of Redemption is the cup of salvation. Jesus reinterprets the Passover wine as his own blood, shed for the redemption of humanity. This cup stands at the heart of Christian worship in the celebration of Communion or the Eucharist. It is a symbol of God’s ultimate act of deliverance through the sacrificial love of Christ.

The Fourth Cup: The Cup of Praise (or Restoration)

The Seder concludes with the fourth cup, the Cup of Praise or Restoration. This cup celebrates the fulfillment of God’s promises and the establishment of a people in relationship with Him: “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God.”

After the meal and the singing of the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118), the final cup is shared as a joyful expression of gratitude and hope. It looks forward to the complete restoration and ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant.

In the Gospels, Jesus alludes to this cup when he tells his disciples, “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). Here, Jesus points beyond his imminent suffering to the hope of resurrection and the joy of the coming kingdom. The Cup of Praise is a symbol of future glory and the restoration of all things.

The Four Cups and the Christian Faith

For Christians, the four cups of the Passover Seder illuminate the depth of meaning in Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper. Each cup is a step on the journey from bondage to freedom, from promise to fulfillment. Jesus, as the Passover Lamb, fulfills and transforms these ancient symbols:

• In the Cup of Sanctification, he sets his disciples apart.
• In the Cup of Deliverance, he anticipates the cost of salvation.
• In the Cup of Redemption, he offers his very life for the world.
• In the Cup of Praise, he promises reunion and joy in God’s kingdom.

The celebration of the Lord’s Supper or Communion in Christian worship continues to draw from this rich heritage, inviting believers to remember, give thanks, and look forward in hope.

Lessons from the Four Cups

The story of the four cups is more than a ritual; it is a spiritual journey. It teaches powerful lessons about God’s character and the path of faith:

• God Initiates Redemption: The four promises of Exodus remind us that it is God who acts first—calling, delivering, redeeming, and restoring.
• Freedom Comes with a Cost: Deliverance involves struggle, sacrifice, and sometimes suffering. Jesus’ journey to the cross echoes the Exodus story’s themes of liberation and trial.
• Redemption is Personal and Communal: The third cup focuses on God’s personal intervention, but all four cups emphasize that redemption is meant to create a people—a community bound by covenant.
• Hope for the Future: The final cup points forward to restoration, joy, and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. Christians live in the tension between the “already” and the “not yet,” awaiting the fullness of God’s kingdom.

Conclusion

In summary, the four cups of Jesus are the Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of Deliverance (or Judgment), the Cup of Redemption and the Cup of Praise (or Restoration).